Virologic Studies on Rheumatoid Arthritis

A search for viral agents associated with rheumatoid arthritis was made using cell lines derived from 64 joint fluids and 41 tissue biopsies (including 29 synovia, 10 rheumatoid nodules, and 2 rheumatoid cartilage). Virus recovery was attempted using a variety of techniques including cell fusion. No viruses were isolated nor were significant patterns of antiviral antibodies found in sera from patients with arthritis. Using seven different viruses, including rubella and Newcastle disease virus, the viral susceptibility of cell lines derived from rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid patients was compared; there was no evidence of significant differences.